Neither Cortium (Adrian Kirby, Chris Mackenzie, Francisco Elizalde and Eduardo Novillo Astrada) nor Thai Polo (Harald Link, Nic Roldan, Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Malcolm Borwick) received rave reviews for their level of play in Gold Cup competition, each amassing 0-3 records along the way, but it was level ground when they faced off in the final round of play.
UAE 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough
Cortium got an early edge on Thai Polo, scoring the first two goals of the opening chukker. Thai Polo, a habitual slow starter, failed to score and trailed 2-0 after the first seven minutes of the match.
Thai Polo scored twice in the second chukker while limiting Cortium to a single goal. Cortium continued to lead, but the margin was narrowed to a single goal, 3-2.
Cortium extended their lead in the third, outscoring Thai Polo 3-2. At the midway point of the game, Cortium held a two goal, 6-4 edge.
A scoreless fourth chukker was as much about stellar defensive play as it was inept offensive efforts. After four chukkers of play, Cortium remained in the lead, 6-4.
Cortium and Thai Polo exchanged goals in the fifth, with Thai Polo struggling to get back into the game. Cortium and Thai Polo each scored a pair of goals, with Cortium maintaining their two goal lead, 8-6, going into the sixth chukker.
The Thai Polo attack stalled in the final chukker of the match, with the two teams exchanging goals once again in a 10-8 Cortium victory. Thai Polo ended Gold Cup play with a disappointing 0-4 record. Cortium’s season wasn’t much better with the afternoon’s win being their high point of the tournament. The 2012 defending British Open champion left the field with a single win against three losses.
TALANDRACAS 9, SUMAYA 8
Sumaya (Ahmad Aboughazale, Tomas Garbarini, Facundo Sola and Hilario Ulloa) was looking to remain undefeated with their final match against Talandracas (Edouard Carmignac, Juan Martin Nero, Lucas James and Juan Jauretche) before heading into quarterfinal play.
Sumaya (3-0) and Talandracas (2-1) traded goals in the first chukker as both fought for control of the game. The first chukker ended in a 2-2 tie.
Two more second chukker goals gave Sumaya the early lead. Talandracas managed a single goal but trailed 4-3 after two periods of play.
Sumaya extended their lead to three goals in the third. Two goals went unanswered as Sumaya posted a 6-3 halftime lead as Talandracas had trouble organizing an effective attack in the chukker.
Talandracas took control of the fourth chukker as the second half got underway. Two Talandracas goals had Sumaya guarding a one goal lead, 6-5, with two chukkers left to play.
Two more goals by Sumaya in the fifth chukker had them in front 8-6. Talandracas picked up a single goal, but were unable to keep pace, falling behind by two goals again.
A sixth chukker shocker has Talandracas scoring three consecutive goals while shutting down the Sumaya offense for a 9-8 win. Both teams end preliminary round play with identical 3-1 records, and both will be advancing to quarterfinal play.
British Open play continues on Thursday with Zacara (3-0) meeting Twelve Oaks (3-0) while Les Lions will face Salkeld to close out the opening round of the tournament. Quarterfinal action is slated to begin on Saturday, July 13